Cecil Charles Sutherland

Cecil Charles Sutherland, 68, passed away on June 2nd, 2022 after a four year battle with pancreatic cancer. Cecil was born to Cecil C Sutherland and Arline Sano Sutherland on February 25th, 1954 at Hamilton Air Force Base in California.

Cecil graduated from Chicopee High School in Chicopee Massachusetts in 1972 and from Norwich University in 1976 with a Bachelor’s of Physical Education. He was commissioned into the United States Air Force where he became a Minuteman Missile Launch Officer in Grand Forks, North Dakota. It was at this duty station where he met the love of his life and future wife, Carla, on a blind date. They were married on November 29, 1980. Cecil cross-trained into Disaster Preparedness and was stationed in Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. Cecil concluded his Air Force career with his last duty assignment at Hill Air Force Base in Utah.

After his separation from the Air Force, he joined the US Postal Service and became a staunch supporter of his wife’s military career. When his wife’s career brought her to Colorado Springs in 1994, he also transferred there with the Post Office. He enjoyed telling people he was a “dependent husband”. He retired after 29 years, most as a Letter Box Mechanic.

He never met a sport he didn’t like, but was especially passionate about football and hockey. He was a life-long, die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan, no matter how bad of a year they were having, including the 1989 1-15 season. He could be counted on to be at every USAFA football home game no matter the weather, and at every Colorado College hockey home game. He loved to travel and experience new cultures and foods. He was a kind, loving man who loved cooking, good food and searching out interesting restaurants wherever he went.

Cecil was preceded in death by his parents and brother Mitsuako.

Cecil is survived by wife of 41 years, Carla, sisters Mary Sutherland and Nancy (Bob) Ross, niece Jennie Ford, nephews Christopher, Joseph and Paul Coulter, and 18 great-nieces and nephews. Throughout his life, Cecil was blessed to gain additional family in the form of deep and enduring friendships with Ed Dalley, Michele Campbell, Rachel Garrison, and his bonus nephews, Hunter and Julian Spier.

In keeping with Cecil’s wishes the funeral will be private. Inurnment will be at Pikes Peak National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Pikes Peak Hospice and Palliative Care on Cecil’s behalf.